Using Yarn to Create Your Own Fractional Number Line
Specific topic:
As a class, we will create a labeled number line around the room with fractional increments.
Key terms:
Fractions, number line, whole numbers, mixed numbers.
Prerequisite knowledge:
Students should already know what unit fractions like 1/3 means.
A brief description of the "hook" or activity:
Prepare in advance of class equally long pieces of yarn (enough to give 4 of them to each kid). With the first piece, we will tape them up neatly around the walls of the classroom and label them to show increments of 0 to 20 (assuming there are 20 kids in your class). Then, give each kid a second piece of yarn, and ask them to fold/cut it into two equal parts. They will now use these half-pieces to go around and add a second layer to the number line, right below the original number lines. Together we will label the numbers as 1/2, 1 1/2, 2 1/2, etc.
They then repeat this to create quarter strips of yarn, and third-pieces of yarn. In the end, you should have 4 parallel number lines going all around the classroom. (Can also do this out in the hallway as hallway decoration!)
Links to worksheets, interactive widgets, etc (please be as complete as possible here):
Notes on using this lesson / suggested assessment / etc:
Credit sources, if any:
It is a twist on the classic fraction strips activity, because sometimes the kids don't really see how fractions fit into the existing number system.
Using Yarn to Create Your Own Fractional Number Line
Specific topic:
As a class, we will create a labeled number line around the room with fractional increments.Key terms:
Fractions, number line, whole numbers, mixed numbers.Prerequisite knowledge:
Students should already know what unit fractions like 1/3 means.A brief description of the "hook" or activity:
Prepare in advance of class equally long pieces of yarn (enough to give 4 of them to each kid). With the first piece, we will tape them up neatly around the walls of the classroom and label them to show increments of 0 to 20 (assuming there are 20 kids in your class). Then, give each kid a second piece of yarn, and ask them to fold/cut it into two equal parts. They will now use these half-pieces to go around and add a second layer to the number line, right below the original number lines. Together we will label the numbers as 1/2, 1 1/2, 2 1/2, etc.They then repeat this to create quarter strips of yarn, and third-pieces of yarn. In the end, you should have 4 parallel number lines going all around the classroom. (Can also do this out in the hallway as hallway decoration!)
Links to worksheets, interactive widgets, etc (please be as complete as possible here):
Notes on using this lesson / suggested assessment / etc:
Credit sources, if any:
It is a twist on the classic fraction strips activity, because sometimes the kids don't really see how fractions fit into the existing number system.